Solid State

As part of my new "twenty-five and time to get my shit together" routine, I've been waking up an hour earlier each morning. It gives me a chance to fold some laundry, drink some coffee, and get a little work done on my biz-naz, all to the over-caffeinated background noise of Matt Lauer and the Today Show team. Or Diane with Good Morning America. Whichever has the more interesting guest.

This morning I chose Today, for an interview with Amy Poehler, and was then treated to the first of their "Summer Concert Series". Today's performance was by Alicia Keys, who busted Matt for calling it a "Summer Concert Series" when she had to be bundled in a parka to perform. I had to agree.

I'm not an Alicia Keys fan. I've listened to her songs at the gym without realizing I'm listening to her songs at the gym, but really the most I know about her is that she interrupts my coveted episodes of The Hills with something they call a "micro series". And it blows.

But this morning I felt akin to her.

After she banged out one piano power ballad, Matt joined her on stage to ask a few questions, the most notable of which was seeking clarification on the statements Keys allegedly made to Blender magazine in which she called Gangsta Rap "a ploy to convince black people to kill each other."

Googling the story on my laptop, I found that the alleged quotes, and Keys' claims that she had been misrepresented by the magazine, had already been beaten to death over a week go by a variety of news sources. So I could sympathize that Keys might be feeling frustrated with the continued attention on the negative.

Last Thursday I organized a benefit show for Michelle's Earth Foundation, the nonprofit established in memory of Michelle Gardner-Quinn. As a friend of Michelle's, the continued negative press about the upcoming trial has been hard to deal with. Especially knowing that there is so much good being done in Michelle's name that no one cares to cover. Because it's not what people want to hear about? I have a hard time believing that because I try to have faith in humanity, but that's what I'm sometimes told.

Anyway, Michelle's mom and I worked together to send press releases to all Vermont media, and I was thrilled when Fox 44 called to meet me outside the Monkey for an interview. And then immediately fell into a sweat thinking that the interviewer might dare to ask me about the murder or the trial or god forbid, Brian Rooney, and I would have to look him in the eye and tell him to shut the hell up. Not really the image my philanthropic label is going for.

Luckily the interviewer did no such thing, but later that night I was more than disappointed to watch my piece cut down to a three second clip, while Brian Rooney's trial took top slot. Coverage improved drastically on Thursday, but Wednesday night I left the Monkey in tears.

This morning on Today, Matt Lauer pulled a similar one on Keys when he immediately asked her about her comments to Blender magazine, while Keys had really come on the show to promote a variety of other things, including her documentary about the plight of the people of Africa.

You can watch a video clip of her response below - just skip ahead to around 1:12. Even with a mouth full of toothpaste, I gave her a little "woot" for it.

I really have no opinion on Keys' alleged comments. My only opinion is on the media's coverage of the scandal, and the media's coverage of all things negative, in and out of the music world. All news stories, good or bad, warrant coverage. But sometimes, when the horse is long dead, you just have to give the bad news a rest. Especially when there's plenty of good to replace it.

Happy Friday, Solid State!

If you're reading this right now, you either have a desk job in an office that allows you to waste company time on the interwebs, or . . . Jesus. I can't even think of an "or." If you're not absolutely forced to be inside on a glorious day like today and are spending your time reading blogs, get a life already. And yes, I fully realize that you could be outside and following along via laptop. Still . . . buy a frisbee.

While we're (sort of) on the subject of all-out geekery, I wanted to pass along the trailer for a movie that will soon be premiering at Cinema 9. It's called Nerdcore Rising and was made by a NYC filmmaker/comedian by the name of Negin Farsad. I had the pleasure of speaking with Ms. Farsad earlier this week for an interview that will run in next week's issue. It was a pretty hysterical conversation about one of the more bizarre music genres to emerge in recent memory: Nerdcore. What is Nerdcore, you ask?  Watch and learn.

Moving on to the actual topic of this post, let's talk about the website.

Many of you have noticed that the music, movies, arts and calendar listings look a wee bit different than they used to. Many of you have also noticed that some of the listings are/were seriously effed up. We know. You can stop with the e-mails, phones calls, dirty looks and late night bricks through my bedroom window. We're on it, OK?

This is but the first incarnation of our new handy dandy, fully searchable, all-encompassing events calendar and, frankly, some glitches are to be expected. Once the kinks are all worked out, it's gonna be super freakin' sweet. But in the meantime, please bear with us. And if you notice something is missing or have constructive feedback you'd like to offer, don't hesitate to let me know.

Speaking of missing listings, I was just made aware that Cave Bees are playing tonight at Radio Bean. Unfortunately, this was news to me since there was nothing about the show listed on The Bean's website and therefore wasn't included in the paper. In any event, you should go 'cuz Cave Bees rock. The show starts at 10 p.m. and will be followed by a Toronto-based band called Organic Funk. Organic Funk. Are you fucking kidding me? That's the laziest example of band naming since, well, The Band, I guess. It's not even ironic like "The Jazz Guys" — second laziest example . . . just kidding JGs. Organic Funk actually plays funk. Organically, one would assume.

Oh, that reminds me. I'm starting a new band called "Pretentious Hipster Indie Rock." We're currently looking for a bassist, an accordion player, a musical saw, a large vat of Bed Head and a sense of humor.

Finally, on Fridays I like to do a quick run-down of some weekend shows that catch my eye. But last week's installment apparently bruised some egos/ruffled feathers/hurt people's feeling-boxes since it wasn't overarching and all-inclusive. So this week, I'd like to suggest that you folks go out and see everything. There are no highlights because everybody's band is the best band in town. So take a look at the listin . . . oh, right.

Have a great weekend.

Oh well hellooooo there, Solid State!

Whew! What an absence, eh? Who the hell am I, Dan Bolles?*

At the risk of giving you all a little too much information, let's just say that I've been busy... redecorating. And for the first time in over two weeks, I can say with confidence that things are looking better. What a difference a fresh coat of paint makes!

My "redecorating" has managed to not only keep me away from blogging, but also the local music scene, save for one special night out for my birthday. Yep. I'm officially twenty-five. Does that mean my opinion now matters? I'm not sure. But it does mean I can rent a car, so I guess it's something.

That night I headed over to the Monkey (surprise!) for what I thought would be a nice mellow evening with all of my favorite people, including Cannon Fodder. Instead of just dancing along to Paddy and the boys though, I also fell in love with a new musician.

It usually takes me much more than just one live performance to determine whether or not someone's music is to my liking, but that night at the Monkey, I fell head over heels for the music of Nathan Moore. Which, in case you hadn't noticed, much of Vermont already has. Case in point: Moore is the cover of the current issue of State of Mind.

That Monday was another night in the singer-songwriter series that Cannon Fodder has organized. Basically, they invite a singer songwriter to play a set, then they get up and play a set, and then finally, the guest musician comes back on stage, and Cannon Fodder acts as their backing band. They've gotten some pretty impressive people to join them so far, and it has made for some really good shows. But this one blew the others out of the water.

The show opened with a set by Jess Clemons, who had a hard time quieting down the crowded bar. But when Moore took the stage, people shut right up. Not because his music was mellow, though. Just because he was so engaging. And intriguing. In that he sort of looked like the love child of Paddy Reagan and Kelly Ravin. Weird.

If I hadn't been so busy "redecorating" I would have sat down the next day and written a better description of what Moore's music actually sounds like. And then I would have told you to catch him at Honky Tonk Tuesday last week. Or at least tune in to hear him on The Radiator.

Luckily it's not too late to catch him in Vermont. This Thursday, Surprise Me Mr. Davis, which features Moore, will be playing the Showcase Lounge at Higher Ground. And guess who will be opening? None other than our boys, Cannon Fodder. I hear this band, which pairs Moore with Boston's The Slip, is an exploration of alter-egos. So the show will probably be quite a bit different from my birthday night. Then again, I can't remember my birthday night well enough to describe it to you, so what do you care if it's different?

Let's put it this way. I myself am putting on a show Thursday night, and I still felt the need to mention Nathan Moore's competing Vermont appearance to you all. Yep. The businesswoman inside me is SCREAMING right now. Let's calm her down with this: if Higher Ground isn't your scene, perhaps my bennie is. Steph, Maryse, Marie, Aya... the gang's all at the Monkey! 8 PM doors. $3. Money goes to Michelle's Earth Foundation.

Whew. Shameless self-promotion out in only one breath. I'm getting better.

My blogging is certainly choking though. Give me a break while I get my feet wet again?

*And as for the cheap shot, Dan, I am totally kidding. I actually suspect you might be on speed this week with the amount of writing and brand!spankin!new! online calendar stuff you're doing. I, for one, am not at all jealous of your work load. Just your celebrity status.

Pop quiz, hot-shots:

Q: What do you get when you cross Heloise & The Savoir Faire, a quintessentially bizarre British quiz show and Frodo Baggins with music written by our own Jason Cooley?

A: This.

For some reason I'm reminded of "Pig in a Poke" from National Lampoon's European Vacation. The hills are indeed alive with the sound of Griswold . . . and sweet, sweet Heloise.

Happy Friday, Solid State!

According to the weather geek, Tom Messner, it's shaping up be a cold, rainy weekend. All the better, then, to spend it in the cozy depths of our various nightclubs and cafes, sampling wealth of options that make up our beloved little scene.

Unfortunately,I will likely not be able to partake in this weekend's festivities as I will spend the bulk of my "free time" becoming intimately familiar with this new web calendar doohicky Seven Days is getting set to launch. When it's ready, it's gonna be super sweet. You're gonna love it, I swear. Actually getting it ready, however, is proving to be one beastly, laborious task. I won't bore you with the details, but I'd like to ask that should any of you see me precariously perched on the ledge of one of Burlington's taller buildings, you make an attempt to talk me down. Or give me a push, depending.

But enough about my problems. Here's a list of the stuff I'd be doing if I weren't me.

Friday
The Smittens and Let's Whisper @ The Skinny Pancake
The Smittens rock. The Skinny Pancake rocks. Max is back from Leeds. Colin is playing twice. To borrow a phrase, "Yow!"

In Memory of Pluto CD Release @ The Monkey House
I know, I know. The lukewarm review of their new EP in this week's paper isn't a huge selling point. However, the review of their show at Radio Bean a few weeks back should be. These guys are a great live band. Next time around, they should spend the money and hire a producer. Calling Ryan Power . . .

Starline Rhythm Boys @ Red Square
Like I need a reason . . .

Melonheadz @ Franny O's
I have no idea who these guys are — Evan Dando tribute, perhaps? But it's Freakin' Friday at Franny O's! In all seriousness, I fucking love that bar.

Saturday
Jaguar Love @ 242 Main
Why the hell not?

Funkwagon @ Nectar's
Just kidding. I much prefer Funk Taco. Actually, Funkwagon isn't even playing. It's Greg Beadle's (ex- Cancer Conspiracy) utterly ass-kicking arena rock band Township. I just might have to go this one anyway, work be damned.

The Mathematicians @ Langdon St. Cafe
Hands down, my favorite band from last year's Jazz Fest — "The Real Deal," are you listening? Plus, it's only a stone's throw from Charlie O's, which is, hands down, the best best bar in Vermont. Oh yeah, they don't play jazz.

Sunday
Luminescent Orchestrii @ Los Nuevos Comedientes @ Club Metronome
While I do love me some gypsy-punk, I mostly just want to go to this so I can find out who the hell Los Nuevos Comedientes are. I've listed them in the club listings a couple of times now and never know what to put down as a genre since I can't find any info about the band anywhere — in fact, I might have even listed them as "comedy" at some point . . . whoops.

Karaoke With Pete @ Backstage Pub
Just making sure you're still paying attention.

Have a great weekend all. And if you're out and about, pour a little out for your local music critic, OK?

Last week in Sound Bites, I remarked that folks reading the paper the day it hit newsstands would be doing so while I was attending a press conference announcing the lineup and sponsors of this year's Discover Jazz Festival, and that it was a sure of spring. It seems I was only half right.

Since that column ran, the weather has been undeniably spring-like. Eat your heart out Tom Messner. Unfortunately, I got my dates mixed up. Last Wednesday, I strolled into the Amy Tarrant Gallery at the FlynnCenter only to "discover" . . . a completely empty room. D'oh! The conference was actually yesterday, not a week ago.

I did end up attending, and I'm glad I did. The food was really, really good. Oh, and the lineup is pretty sweet too.

In particular, there was a lot of buzz around an up-and-coming R&B singer named Ledisi, who was recently nominated for two Grammys — Best R&B Album and Best New Artist, the latter of which she lost to Amy Winehouse. Hailed by pundits who hail such things as a blend of Ella Fitgerald and Erykah Badu, Ledisi is one sultry soul siren, equally adept at delivering slinky R&B and smoky jazz. Should be a great show.

The following is a clip from her appearance on PBS' "Great Performances: We Love Ella!" There's kind of a lot of talking — and the second half of the video features jazz a cappella ensemble Take 6. But the music in between is a tantalizing taste of what we can expect in a couple of months. Enjoy!

You can check out the rest of this year's lineup here.

I don't know about you folks, but today my brain is utterly fried. Maybe it's the recent spate of terrific weather, or maybe it's fact that I've been glued to a computer screen for three days straight. But I find myself in need of mindless entertainment on par with "Girls Jumping on Trampolines" from The Man Show. What follows is the next best thing: The Green Mountain Derby Dames beating each other up on roller skates, courtesy of Jeff Howlett and Howlerman Productions, with music from Boston-based punk outfit, The Faithfull.

Green Mountain Derby Dames from Howlermano on Vimeo.

Thanks, Jeff. I needed that.

Have you ever listened to a Radiohead song and wished you could give it the Danger Mouse treatment? Maybe combine "Fake Plastic Trees" with DMX's "Ruff Ryder's Anthem." Or "High and Dry with" Afroman's "Because I Got High." That'd be sick. You could even call the album The Blends. (rimshot!)

I'm here all night, folks. Please, tip your waitress.

Aaaaanyhoo . . .

The always forward-thinking Radiohead has just taken the next step in band-fanboy interactivity, teaming up with GarageBand and iTunes to offer their new single, "Nude," as a remixable track. Here's how it works:

1. Purchase all five "stems" from iTunes. Stems are the individual components of the song — guitar, voice, drums, etc.

2. You'll be sent an access code to a ready-to-open GarageBand file. Open. Mix. Repeat as necessary.

3. Upload the finished remix to radioheadremix.com where other rabid Yorkephytes will vote on their "favourite" tracks.

4. Kick back, open a PBR tallboy and wait for Brian Eno to call.

Currently, Toronto's avant noise outfit Holy Fuck — Best. Band name. Ever. — are winning in a landslide.  But that doesn't mean you shouldn't enter. The contest runs through May 1, so there's plenty of time. You don't even need GarageBand to do it as the file works in numerous platforms. You can also download a widget for your Facebook or MySpace profiles so your friends can vote for you. Neat-o.

Anyone else kinda curious to see what Greg Davis could do with this?